Extra police powers to protect Obama

ACT police will have extra security powers next week during United States president Barack Obama's visit to Canberra.

President Obama will be in Canberra November 16 -17 and will visit the Australian War Memorial.

The ACT Government has made a declaration under the Major Events Security Act to give ACT Policing the ability to establish a major event zone around the War Memorial.

Police will have the power to restrict entry into the area around the War Memorial, and to ban prohibited items that could disrupt or threaten the safety of the event.

"This will allow ACT police to screen and make sure that people entering the venue are not carrying devices or objects that may present a safety or security risk for the president or his visiting delegation and allow police to maintain an effective perimeter around the War Memorial itself," said ACT Attorney-General Simon Corbell.

The declaration makes the Australian War Memorial and surrounding area a major event venue from 6:00am to 12:00pm AEDT on Thursday November 17.

Australian Federal Police Superintendent Michael Chew says entry to this area will not be allowed.

But he says other areas in close proximity will be set aside to give Canberrans the chance to see president Obama arrive and depart.

"If people want to go and line the routes and line the roads around that area, that's quite open to them to do that," said

"There will be areas identified where people will be able to congregate and stand and watch the motorcade go by."

Superintendent Chew says final details are still being worked out with the Secret Service, US Government and Australian Government agencies.

Mr Corbell says it is the fourth time the ACT Government has implemented the additional powers.

"These are powers that are designed to be used only where there is a need to maintain the safety, security and dignity of a significant event," he said.

"Clearly the visit by the president of the United States of America falls into that category. And that's why the declaration has been made for the limited period of his visit to the Australian War Memorial."